Your shift will never be the same. Mine wasn’t either. First responders are equipped to respond to crisis after crisis, but are we equipped to handle the ongoing and cumulative effects of trauma, grief, loss, and survivor’s guilt? These jobs and our desire to serve others often cause us to carry an invisible weight. We try to do this on our own because we believe it’s expected of us. We aren’t taught how to manage the emotional impact of our work, which leads to poor decision-making, broken relationships, physical ailments, and an overall decrease in wellness. This powerful session covers professional and lived experience related to the unseen trauma survivors experience, as well as the hidden impact traumatic events have on those who serve. Through personal experiences and professional practice as a military veteran, homicide and suicide loss survivor, nationally credentialed victim advocate, and trauma professional; Scharnelle Hamlin will guide attendees through a realistic but compassionate discussion around cumulative trauma, resilience, healing, and seeking help without shame. Learn about survivor’s guilt, secondary traumatic stress, compassion fatigue, and how to leverage cultural humility and trauma-informed practices to help others without compromising your own wellness. Remember that healing isn’t weakness; it’s one of the strongest things you’ll ever do.
